OHRC seeks report on Titlagarh custodial death in two weeks

The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) today issued notices to Additional DG of Crime branch, IG (northern range), district magistrate and Superintendent of Police, Bolangir to submit a factual report on the alleged custodial death of Basant Pradhan in Titlagarh.

Acting on a complaint filed by human rights activist Bijay Kumar Panda and Biswapriya Kanungo, acting OHRC chairman justice Birakishore Mishra asked the officials to furnish a factual report within two weeks so that the commission can decide on the next course of action in this regard.

The commission also asked the officials to inform whether the family of deceased have got compensation or ex-gratia.

The two complainants have alleged that prima facie evidence suggests that the death of Pradhan, a local of Hatapadapada, occurred due to excessive torture while he was in police custody. They have demanded initiation of criminal and disciplinary proceedings against the officials involved in the crime and compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the family of the deceased.

It is to be noted that angry mobs in hundreds had ransacked office of the Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Titlagarh setting fire to police vehicles, files and documents and motor bikes kept in the malkhana and damaged computers and furniture demanding the arrest of policemen responsible for allegedly torturing the youth, who succumbed to his injuries on June 28, in custody.